West Coast Silver Puts Elizabeth Hill Project Under the Microscope with Extensive Drilling Program
West Coast Silver is embarking on an ambitious 4,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its Elizabeth Hill silver project, situated in the mineral-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia. This significant undertaking is designed to probe for extensions of the high-grade mineralisation previously identified, building upon the promising results from drilling conducted in 2025.
The strategic depth of the planned drilling is a key focus, with all holes meticulously targeted to intersect the Munni Munni Fault (MMF) within 150 metres of the surface. This relatively shallow depth is particularly exciting as it presents a strong opportunity for low-cost open-pit resource expansion, a crucial factor in the economic viability of any mining project.
The company’s latest ASX announcement highlights that this initial RC drilling phase will concentrate on extending the Elizabeth Hill silver mineralised system northwards along the MMF. Furthermore, the program will meticulously explore areas north and south of Elizabeth Hill along the MMF. The objective here is to confirm the depth potential, continuity, and importantly, the grade and distribution of the silver mineralisation that has been intercepted in previous drilling campaigns. These earlier efforts revealed moderate to high-grade, near-surface silver mineralisation, fuelling the current exploration drive.
Bruce Garlick, Executive Chairman of West Coast Silver, expressed his optimism about the program’s potential. “Our 2025 drilling confirmed that silver mineralisation at Elizabeth Hill extends beyond the historical underground mine and is associated with a broader structural corridor along the Munni Munni Fault,” he stated. “This RC program is designed to test shallow extensions north and south of the mine and to generate the systematic data required for West Coast Silver’s inaugural Elizabeth Hill mineral resource estimate.”
Garlick further emphasised the project’s favourable location and its implications for future development. “With targets located close to surface and near existing infrastructure, the program will advance Elizabeth Hill towards an economic scoping study,” he added. This proximity to existing infrastructure can significantly reduce development costs and timelines, making the project more attractive for investment and eventual production.
A Glimpse into Elizabeth Hill’s Past and Future Potential
The Elizabeth Hill project boasts an impressive historical track record. It was once recognised as one of Australia’s highest-grade silver projects, with a proven production of 1.2 million ounces (Moz) recovered from a modest 16,830 tonnes of ore, yielding an exceptional head grade of 2,194 grams per tonne (g/t). Since acquiring the project in March 2025, West Coast Silver has been diligently working to unlock its considerable upside potential through systematic exploration.
Subsequent exploration efforts have yielded remarkable results. Phase 2 diamond drilling, for instance, intersected native silver in multiple boreholes. One particularly astonishing interval measured 0.35 metres and returned an astounding grade of 33,107 g/t silver, encountered at a depth of 74.6 metres. This highlights the exceptionally high-grade nature of the mineralisation present at Elizabeth Hill.
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the historical mine, scout drilling has also successfully identified near-surface, high-grade mineralisation both north of the mine and extending south along the MMF. These discoveries are crucial as they indicate the potential for a significantly larger mineralised system than initially appreciated.
Strategic Partnerships and Processing Solutions
A key aspect of West Coast Silver’s strategy involves securing a viable processing solution for any future production. The company has identified a potential processing option at Artemis Resources’ (ASX: ARV) nearby Radio Hill project. This facility includes a 425,000-tonne-per-annum processing plant that is currently on care and maintenance.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been established between West Coast Silver and Artemis Resources to evaluate the suitability of the Radio Hill plant to treat material from Elizabeth Hill. This collaboration is a significant step towards de-risking the project by addressing the crucial metallurgical and processing challenges early in the development cycle.
Timeline and Next Steps
West Coast Silver is operating on a packed exploration schedule from the end of March through to the end of May 2026. The extensive RC drilling program is anticipated to take approximately four to six weeks to complete. Concurrently, down-hole and surface geophysics surveys are scheduled to commence at the end of March, providing valuable subsurface data to complement the drill results.
The company expects to receive assays from the RC drill program progressively throughout the second quarter of 2026. Looking ahead, and subject to the availability of drilling rigs, West Coast Silver also plans to commence diamond drilling in early April. This diamond drilling program will be specifically designed to test the down-plunge extensions of the Elizabeth Hill orebody, potentially uncovering further high-grade mineralisation at greater depths. These multifaceted exploration activities underscore West Coast Silver’s commitment to comprehensively understanding and developing the Elizabeth Hill silver project.
